Search
-
July 16, 2026Diocesan retired priest, Father Craig Collison, will be honored this fall for his dedication to Catholic education. He will receive a Clergy Award at the Oct. 11 Bishop’s Dinner for Catholic Schools.
“Father Collison has championed Catholic education since his early days as a priest. His service in our Catholic schools over 45 years of active ministry positively impacted hundreds of students. I hope this award can in some small way express our appreciation and shine a light on his dedication to our youth,” said Bishop John E. Keehner.
Father Collison is a product of Catholic education, graduating from Ryan Catholic High School in Boone. After earning an undergraduate degree in accounting from Loras, he earned a Master of Divi
Father Collison celebrates school Mass at Sacred Heart in Boone in this file photo.nity in pastoral ministry at St. Mary Seminary and University in Baltimore.
Following his 1978 priestly ordination, Father Collison embarked upon 45 years of active ministry both directly in Catholic schools and serving as a pastor in parishes with a school.
The priest pointed out in a 2023 article in The Lumen that until the early 2000s, most priests were teaching full time or serving in guidance or administration in Catholic schools.
As he had numerous assignments in schools, Father Collison pursued more education to serve Catholic schools. He earned a graduate degree in school counseling a
Guest public address announcer for St. Edmond basketball game.nd guidance at Creighton University and a secondary school administrator certificate from Creighton and the University of Dayton.
In addition to official roles in schools, Father Collison was present at student activities including 30 years serving as a baseball empire and volleyball referee. He remains well-known as a public address announcer at athletic events such as state tournaments. Prior to retirement, he and former Pocahontas Catholic Principal Cindy Edge teamed up in the
In this file photo from 2023, Cindy Edge - the now retired principal of Pocahontas Catholic School - relays action on the field as Father Collison announces the game. Pocahontas Area High School press box to call football games at one time.
Father Collison pointed out he enjoyed his involvement in Catholic schools and religious education programs for the first 25 years of his priesthood.
“I loved that time so very much,” he said in a 2023 Lumen article just prior to his retirement. “To be able to share the life of the church with our young people was so life-giving to me. My faith became stronger because of the faith of my students. We journeyed together as children of the Lord.”
In an April 2025 Illuminating Catholics podcast with close friend Father Merlin Schrad, Father Collison said when he no longer had a school-connected assignment, he missed his time with the students.
In his last assignment at St. Sebastian Parish which includes Resurrection of Our Lord Church in Pocahontas, Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Fonda and the former Varina St. Columbkille Church, the assignment included Pocahontas Catholic School. He was able to spend time in the classroom and lunchroom and presided at school Masses.
Father Collison retired in July 2023 and often fills in at parishes for Masses and confessions. His recognizable deep voice can still be heard on public address systems during athletic contests.
Fund will be raised through ticket sales and sponsorships and 100% of the funds are directed to the diocesan Catholic Schools Foundation for school enhancement grants. The diocesan schools can apply for the grants to cover items including staff development, marketing, mental health, technology and other areas.
After a brief hiatus, the Bishop’s Dinner returns and will be held Oct. 11 at the South Sioux City Marriott Riverfront with Bishop Keehner serving as keynote speaker. Tickets are $150 per person and will go on sale July 27 at scdiocese.org/bishops-dinner. Father Collison and five Catholic school employees will be honored at the dinner. Sponsors are available.
HOME